joe wrote:
> so i think i have gotten rid of this trojan but i just wanted to be sure. i
> was told by a friend that in order to make sure it was completly and totally
> removed from my computer i would need to wipe my hard drive clean. i have
> used windows defender to remove the trojans and my McAfee removed some
> infected files now when i scan everything seems to be ok. how can i be sure
> that i am not still at risk for infomation to be stolen from this infection?
> also if i do need to completly reinstall my OS how do i do that
You usually do not need to wipe the drive and start over to remove the
Security Toolbar. That said, I'm not sitting in front of your computer
working on it. I would be a bit more thorough than just using McAfee and
Windows Defender, though. Try going through these steps to be sure the
machine is really clean:
Do the preparatory steps here:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
Then do the specific removal steps here:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Smitfraud_Trojan
You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your
malware here:
Bleeping Computer removal how-to's -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html
When all else fails, run HijackThis and post your log in one of the
specialty forums listed at the first link above (not here, please).
Not all tools used will work in Vista and you will need to run them
elevated. If you are unable to remove the infection by following the
general steps, register at one of the HijackThis forums as suggested.
Standard caveat: If the procedures look too complex - and there is no
shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a
professional computer repair shop (not your local version of
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware that not all local shops
are skilled at removing malware and even if they are, your computer may
be so infested that Windows will need to be clean-installed. Have all
your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User